I see the forthcoming Heritage space auction features an inflight coverall jacket worn by Gus Grissom which clearly has a different patch to the one currently listed by Chris Spain on his excellent website and listed as the crew patch.

Here's hoping I scoop this weeks Euromillions jackpot so I can secure this item and most of the other Gemini patches also featured in this auction.

stsmithva

You might remember this discussion, stretching from 2004-2005, about whether or not Neil Armstrong ever wrote out his first words upon setting foot on the moon. (He was quoted at length in Hansen's book as saying he never did, not for the Smithsonian, nor for his mother!)

A few observations regarding the Robbins medallions that perhaps Howard Weinberger could comment on.

Should not there be a lack of Sterling hallmark on the Apollo 12 medals, numbered 1 and 4, as they would be from the "treasure fleet" ingot supplied by Mr. Rathmann?

Also, please note in the LOA from Tom Stafford for the Apollo 16 medal, dated July 2000, he states, "...the unflown [Apollo 16] medallions never receiving a serial number." This letter could have solved the Apollo 16 flown/unflown mystery several years earlier!

lunareagle

Each of the medals offered, numbered 1 and 4, are indeed without the sterling hallmark, which is consistent with the research.

In regard to the Stafford Apollo 16 medal, I do not understand your point. The research is correct and the letter is dated a year after my original Robbins book was published.

drifting to the right

Thanks for the reply, Howard. As you have clarified that the Apollo 12's sterling hallmark is not present, contrary to the description, and since they are from the treasure fleet ingot, thus more scarce, they may be of greater value to a collector as well.

On the point relative to the Apollo 16, I refer you to your article, "The Enigmatic Apollo 16 Robbins Medals," copyrighted 2008, paragraphs 2 and 3. Then read Gen. Stafford's LOA in full.

Again, thanks for your interest, and landmark work on the Robbins medallions.

lunareagle

On-line bidding for the November 2, 2012 Heritage Space sale is now open.

SpaceAholic

I've already encountered an issue: initiated a bid on one lot but the bid was incorrectly recorded against another (undesired) lot. Waiting for the Heritage folks to get back to me.

I thought, Edgar Mitchell had only two PPKs, the larger one flown on CM and the smaller one flown on the LM.

spaced out

We know for the Stowage List that there were at least 14 of the regular size PPK bags carried on Apollo 14 in the CM and at least one of the larger size bags (possible the one listed at Heritage).

We don't really know the way these were split between the crew. Some may well have carried items for shared use. For example, given the description of the larger bag in this auction it may have been used to carry music tapes for the crew.

After the flight some of these shared empty bags may have been given at random to crew members.

Larry McGlynn

Chris is right there were many PPKs carried on Apollo 14.

While the small CM PPK bag S/N 1114 was used as a PPK, the second larger bag was either used to hold the Data Card Kit in the R1 locker or as a PPK in the R2 locker. There are at least two large bags with the P/N SEB32100025-301 in the Stowage lists. Chances are that this bag stored the Data Card Kit until use.

A lot of these PPK bags were carried in later missions as the weight rules were relaxed.

lunareagle

Just a heads up to everyone that tonight is the last chance for Internet bidding before tomorrow mornings live auction.

There are some wonderful lots. Good luck to all.

Greggy_D

The flown Apollo 17 Robbins continue to pull in amazing numbers.

SpaceAholic

Somebody got a pretty good deal on a complete SE-6 and that LiOH scrubber assembly.

Was happy to score lot 40233

Tim Collins

Well, I didn't run you up too far Scott (on 40233). Nice piece of hardware. I did acquire 40236, which I believe was the model used in the S-IVB of SA-201 thru SA-204 and SA-501 and SA-502. A fun auction.

Jurvetson

I picked up 40235, the F-1 LOX Valve Flexline. I was the underbidder on the Scrubber, and lamenting. And I arrived at my computer just as the bidding closed on that SE-6 (and it went for less than half what I would have expected).

Retro Rocket

Did anyone know how much the NERVA model and SSME model sold for? Thanks!

lunareagle

Looks like the chance to purchase a few remaining gems from the November 2 sale is almost over

GACspaceguy

quote:Originally posted by Retro Rocket:Did anyone know how much the NERVA model and SSME model sold for? Thanks!

NERVA sold for $598. SSME sold for $1793. This includes buyers premium.

spaceflori

I was surprised that no one was bidding on it and thought that it might have been a software mistake...

Anyway a great proof that you can still make a steal in any of the space auctions!

SpaceAholic

Heritage is in serious violation of ITAR statutes if they shipped that SE-6 outside the U.S.